Adjustable shoe tree



Y 1945- c. A. TRAURIG ADJUSTABLE SHOE TREE v Filed Oct. 2'7, 1944 mm m 1AM. m 7. L

C Y B Patented May 14, 1946 ILOIFFICE This invention relates to newfand' useful-finproveme'nts in adjustable shoe trees."

-' More specifically, the invention proposes a new and improved shoe'treewhich is characterized by' a vamp-like member for engaging iri the vamp portion'of a, shoe and having a slot with vertical parallel opposed faces and extending inwards from its rear end. A'heel engaging toggle isprovided for engaging the heel portion 015 said shoe and consists of a yoke-like wire member pivotally connected with a cam-like heel engaging member. The invention proposes. certain means for pivotally and adjustably connecting said yoke-like wire member upon the opposed faces of the slot in said vamp-like member.

In one form of the invention the opposed faces of said slot are formed with openings into which outwardly directed ends of the Wire member are engaged. In another form of the invention plates with openings are adjustably mounted on the O p sed faces of the slot, and the out turned end portions of the wire member pivotally engagein the openings of said plates.

Still further the invention proposes the ,construction of an adjustable shoe tree which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appendedclaims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part Of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an adjustable shoe tree constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the shoe tree shown in Fig. 1 with the heel engaging toggle in a difierent position.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of an ad- J'ustable shoe tree constructed in accordance with a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 66.of'Fig. -5.

The slot II has vertical parallel opposed faces which are formed with a'plurality of openings. I2 arranged in substantial horizontal line.

' A heel engaging toggl is associated with the vamp-dike member ID and is formed from two parts, namely a yoke-like Wire member I 4 and a cam-like heelengagi ng member IS. The wire member I4 is of U-shape having a pair of side arms' I-6 and a central connecting portion I I. The outer ends of the arms I6 are pointed or directed outwards and are engaged in an opposed portion I'I pivotally engages.

The cam-like heel engaging member I5 hasa rounded bottom end 20 and a pointed top end 2 I. When the shoe tree is engaged in a shoe, the yoke-like wire member I5 is adjusted to the size' of the shoev by engaging the out turned ends of the arms IS in a proper pair of the openings I2. This way be done by pressing together the outer ends of the arms I6 so as to disengage the out turned end portions from the openings 12 which they are engaging and then they may be reengaged in a desirable pair of said openings I2.

. When the top end 2| of the cam-like heel engag- The adjustable shoe tree, in accordance with that form of the inventiondisclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, includes a vamp-like member ID for engaging in the vamp portion of a shoe. This mem ber I0 is provided with a slot I I which is extended ing member I5 is pivoted towards the vamp-like member ID, the bottom end 20will be cammed against the heel portion of the shoe and together with the wire engaging member I 4 will stretch or straighten out the shoe.

In Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive a, modified form of the invention has been disclosed which is very similar to the prior form distinguishing merely in the manner in which the yoke-like wire member I5 is pivotally connected with the vamp-like member III. In this form of the invention there are side plates 22 which are adjustably mounted upon the opposed faces of the slot I I. The side plates 22 are provided with slots 23 through'which stud 24 engage. These studs 24 are mounted upon and projected from the opposed faces of the slot I I. The studs 24 ar provided with nuts 25 by which the plates 22 may be held in selected vertical positions. The slots23 are disposed substantially vertical. The plates 22 are formed with a series of openings 26 substantially on a inwards from it rear end and its bottom side. horizontalline. The outer ends of therarms I6 of the wire member l4 are engaged selectively in a pair of the openings 26.

The dominating feature of this form of the invention resides in the fact that the toggle action of the heel engaging toggle may be better adjusted for accommodating the shoe tree for a specific size of shoe. Not only can the free ends of the arms l6 be engaged in selected openings 26 but the elevation of these openings 26 may be adjusted by vertically adjusting the plates 22.

While I have illustrated and described the'preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the pre-'- cise construction herein disclosed and the'right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An adjustable shoe tree, comprising a vamplike member for engaging the vamp. portion of a shoe and having a slot with vertical parallel opposed faces and extending inwards from its rear end, a heel engaging toggle for engaging in the heel portionvof saidv shoe and consisting of a yoke-like wire member pivotally connected with a cam-like heel engaging member, and means for pivotally and adjustably connecting said yokelike wire member upon said opposed faces, comprising plates vertically adjustably mounted upon the opposed faces of said slot and being formed with a horizontal line of openings, and said wire member having end portions pivotally engaging in a pair of said openings.

2. An adjustable shoe tree, comprising a vamplike member for engaging in the vamp portion of a,. shoe and. having a slotwithvertical parallel opposed faces and extending inwards from its rear end, a heel engaging toggle for engaging in. the heel portion of said shoe and consisting of a, yoke-like wire member pivotally connected with a cam-like heel engaging member, and means for pivotally and adjustably connecting said yoke=like"wire member upon said opposed faces; comprisingplates vertically adjustably mounted upon the opposed faces of said slot and being'fomied with a horizontal line of openings, and: said. wire member having end. portions pivotally engaging in: apairof said openings, said plates. having vertical slots, and studs being mounted. upon said.v opposed. faces and. engaging through said slots, and provided with nuts by whichsaid: plates may be held, in adjusted positions.

CHARLES A. TRAURIG. 

